Westborough recreational basketball phenomenon

While recreational sports are common at high schools around the country the unabridged enthusiasm that Westborough has for its recreational basketball league is unique.

That fever is so strong that it generated its own podcast called “Below the Rim,” featuring Recreation Department Director Alan Grady and Administrative Assistant Stephen Croft.

Grady and Croft admit that they have no idea when the league began. Regardless, the league is a massive presence in the Westborough High School.“There are people who have left the school team to just play in this recreation league,” said Croft. “It gets pretty intense.”

This season, there are 163 students divided into 16 teams who each play nine games before the championship. Grady said that in some years 30 percent of high school boys participate in the league. The coaches are volunteers and the teams are sponsored by local businesses and organizations.

Players are ranked and effort is taken to have balanced teams during the draft process. Despite occasional outsider concern over the mixing of different age and skill levels, Grady said that once the season gets going it becomes a non issue.

“The seniors are so welcoming and do a really great job with getting the freshmen involved,” said Grady.

The passion for recreational basketball has given rise to “Below the Rim,” a podcast that highlights the Sunday and Monday games, and features those involved with the league as guests.

The podcast was admittedly not their idea.“I just forced them to do it,” said Westborough Recreation Program Manager Jenn Kirkland with a smile.

During the fall, Grady and Croft often talked about fantasy football.

Kirkland, found herself interested in their conversations despite not following football. After her original suggestion of a fantasy football podcast was shot down, Kirkland realized there was something else that people wanted to hear.

“So many people want to talk about [recreation basketball],” said Kirkland.

She noted that Grady and Croft often found themselves in prolonged phone conversations about the subject.The first podcast was recorded in late December. The duo gave a brief run-through of the games and the season. They didn't expect much but the podcast was listened to over 300 times.

Since then, they have invited a number of coaches and athletes onto the show.

“They get into it,” said an amused Grady. “Some of them talk a bit more trash than others but they have a lot of fun with it.”

The end of the recreation basketball season comes with the championship tournament that begins after February vacation. While it will bring change – Grady left his position as recreation director on February 23- it will also mean another batch of students will share the bond that comes with playing Westborough recreation basketball.

“It gives the kids something that they can be proud of and something they can brag about,” said Croft who added that he has heard former athletes talking about the league long after they left school.

“Since so many people do it it's really something that anyone can have in common,” he said.

Episodes of “Below the Rim” can be heard at www.westboroughtv.org/below-the-rim-podcast.